Semi-comprehensive update
While there are a collection of bullets and more details underneath the cut, the most important thing happening in my life right now--I have a new job, and I am relocating to Pittsburgh next week.
* Preacher had his surgery. Complications aside, his brief inclination to rely on faith healing aside (which was, I figure, entirely sincere but also a miserable delaying tactic because he didn't want to go back to the hospital), he is doing much better.
* I got fired over something that was just--dumb. Just really, really fucking stupid. To be strictly truthful, I was given the chance to resign--so at least I don't have a firing on my admittedly short resume. I'm still sort of WTF?! over it.
* After a given period of sulking and living on savings (which, what with college loans, don't exactly last), I realized that I needed to get moving on the whole 'gotta have something to do' angle.
* I hooked up with a couple folks in Pittsburgh and, through no apparent input from My Thinking Brain (the bit that gets me in trouble because it doesn't bother to stop thinking, and that leaves the rest of me in a near constant state of inertia) I decided that I would take them up on their offer to let me temporarily occupy their spare room, applied for a job, was called for an interview the day after I submitted an application, and was offered the position the day after that.
* This is a job that: has an impressive sign on bonus, pays three and a half dollars more per hour than my previous job (not to mention a bonus if I would consider working every weekend, which is an idea I'm chewing on), and gave me full-time (which I had a feeling I was never, ever going to get at my old job) and a steady shift (third shift, since it's the sleep/wake schedule I naturally gravitate to anyway and because second shift eats my life). Benefits kick in after three months, and it will assist with continuing education costs, provided it's in the nursing field. This is a facility that is roughly twice the size of the one I'm used to but with comparative staffing providing roughly the same varied level of care.
* Devina & Mark were in from Texas. I didn't see them nearly enough, of course. While spending time with them in the Harrisburg area for their belated sort of reception, I took pictures per orders, drifted between groups of people, and ate the best piece of meat I have ever had, and I mean ever-ever, and we are talking eyes fluttering, groaning enjoyment. I did clear all the comics that I recognized off Mark's shelves, per his invitation, along with whatever else he recommended. Then they apparently decided that Lost Girls was a perfectly acceptable parting gift, and after reading it, I'm still scratching my head over that because--dude, my friends just gave me porn. "Tasteful erotica"? I don't know what graphic novel you were reading, D.
* My car is so definitely dying. It's trying so hard, but it just isn't going to make it much longer; if mechanical issues don't get it, the rust will. I have been looking for cars roughly equivalent to my tiny but persistent Metro tank, but a little nicer, and I think I've settled on the slightly larger, slightly more expensive than most subcompacts but sturdy looking little Honda Fit (before Honda screws with its design next year). The reviews look good, and apparently the Top Gear guys like it. <3
* Somewhere during this time, I figured out that I've known Paul in some form or other for precisely(ish) ten years as opposed to roughly ten years. Roughly--give or take a year. Precisely? Give or take a month. ('Course, I've only known known him for five years, but still).
* Ed and his girlfriend had their baby. I'm still left scratching my head over the weirdness of Ed being a father.
* I have completely let the WHC thing slide. Completely, utterly flaked. I need to fix that (because even if I relocate, I might be back in the area for occasional volunteering, and even if I'm not, I still need that certificate that says I completed the training).
* In trying to downsize, I've gotten rid of a lot of DVDs (though I realize I still have a lot). Unfortunately, I discovered that you can transfer credits from SwapaDVD to Paperback swap at a ratio of 2:3. Dammit.
* ... and that probably pretty much covers everything, give or take.
* Preacher had his surgery. Complications aside, his brief inclination to rely on faith healing aside (which was, I figure, entirely sincere but also a miserable delaying tactic because he didn't want to go back to the hospital), he is doing much better.
* I got fired over something that was just--dumb. Just really, really fucking stupid. To be strictly truthful, I was given the chance to resign--so at least I don't have a firing on my admittedly short resume. I'm still sort of WTF?! over it.
* After a given period of sulking and living on savings (which, what with college loans, don't exactly last), I realized that I needed to get moving on the whole 'gotta have something to do' angle.
* I hooked up with a couple folks in Pittsburgh and, through no apparent input from My Thinking Brain (the bit that gets me in trouble because it doesn't bother to stop thinking, and that leaves the rest of me in a near constant state of inertia) I decided that I would take them up on their offer to let me temporarily occupy their spare room, applied for a job, was called for an interview the day after I submitted an application, and was offered the position the day after that.
* This is a job that: has an impressive sign on bonus, pays three and a half dollars more per hour than my previous job (not to mention a bonus if I would consider working every weekend, which is an idea I'm chewing on), and gave me full-time (which I had a feeling I was never, ever going to get at my old job) and a steady shift (third shift, since it's the sleep/wake schedule I naturally gravitate to anyway and because second shift eats my life). Benefits kick in after three months, and it will assist with continuing education costs, provided it's in the nursing field. This is a facility that is roughly twice the size of the one I'm used to but with comparative staffing providing roughly the same varied level of care.
* Devina & Mark were in from Texas. I didn't see them nearly enough, of course. While spending time with them in the Harrisburg area for their belated sort of reception, I took pictures per orders, drifted between groups of people, and ate the best piece of meat I have ever had, and I mean ever-ever, and we are talking eyes fluttering, groaning enjoyment. I did clear all the comics that I recognized off Mark's shelves, per his invitation, along with whatever else he recommended. Then they apparently decided that Lost Girls was a perfectly acceptable parting gift, and after reading it, I'm still scratching my head over that because--dude, my friends just gave me porn. "Tasteful erotica"? I don't know what graphic novel you were reading, D.
* My car is so definitely dying. It's trying so hard, but it just isn't going to make it much longer; if mechanical issues don't get it, the rust will. I have been looking for cars roughly equivalent to my tiny but persistent Metro tank, but a little nicer, and I think I've settled on the slightly larger, slightly more expensive than most subcompacts but sturdy looking little Honda Fit (before Honda screws with its design next year). The reviews look good, and apparently the Top Gear guys like it. <3
* Somewhere during this time, I figured out that I've known Paul in some form or other for precisely(ish) ten years as opposed to roughly ten years. Roughly--give or take a year. Precisely? Give or take a month. ('Course, I've only known known him for five years, but still).
* Ed and his girlfriend had their baby. I'm still left scratching my head over the weirdness of Ed being a father.
* I have completely let the WHC thing slide. Completely, utterly flaked. I need to fix that (because even if I relocate, I might be back in the area for occasional volunteering, and even if I'm not, I still need that certificate that says I completed the training).
* In trying to downsize, I've gotten rid of a lot of DVDs (though I realize I still have a lot). Unfortunately, I discovered that you can transfer credits from SwapaDVD to Paperback swap at a ratio of 2:3. Dammit.
* ... and that probably pretty much covers everything, give or take.